CONCACAF 2009 Champions League Qualifying Recap and Video Highlights: PR Islanders, Pachuca, and DC advance to Group Stage
The CONCACAF 2009 Champions League Qualifying round ends this week as the second legs take place. On Tuesday three matches were set including Puerto Rico v Toronto, Jalapa v Pachuca, and Firpo v DC. Here’s a recap of Tuesday’s matches along with video highlights.
Puerto Rico Islanders advance past Toronto FC 1-0 on aggregate – Video Highlights
The Islanders had a 1-0 lead after the first leg at Toronto and was able to keep it scoreless as they advanced to the group stage. The match ended at 0-0 as TFC failed to move into the group stage for the first time. The best chance for Toronto came from Danny Dichio who had a close range shot that hit off the post. Overall Toronto was unable to convert any of their chances and the Islanders remained disciplined defensively.
DC United outlasts CD Luis Angel Firpo 1-1 (5-4 on penalties) – Video Highlights
DC United and Firpo came into the second leg at 1-1 after the first leg at RFK Stadium. DC outplayed Firpo for most of the match but found themselves give up a penalty in the 39th minute as they fell down 0-1. Fortunately for the MLS side they responded quickly with a Christian Gomez goal in the 42nd minute. The second half saw DC continue to threaten as they looked for the next goal to secure their spot in the Group Stage. Both teams had some chances but neither team could score in regular time as it would head to extra time. The first session of extra time saw both teams look tired and each team getting some decent scoring chances.
Neither team could convert in the first extra time half as the teams would switch sides. The second session of extra time saw both teams play conservatively and fatigue set in. With only a few minutes left in extra time DC United midfielder Fred lost possession and made a late tackle that earned him a red card. Thanksfully for DC it was only a few minutes left until it would go to penalty as the score remained 1-1. Both teams continued to look tired as the whistle blew at the end of extra time and it would be penalties to decide the winner.
Both teams started out strong in the penalty shoot-out as they converted the first two chances to make it 2-2. The next round was converted by both as every player in the first 6 penalties looked confident. The fourth round started tied at 3-3 as Firpo made the first mistake by missing the shot high. DC looked to grabbed control with their fourth try and it was in the back of the net for a 4-3 DC lead going into the last round. Firpo converted their fifth round kick was DC keeper Wicks couldn’t save it. The match now came down to Christian Gomez who stepped up and converted to send DC United into the group stage of the 2009 CONCACAF Champions League.
Pachuca advances past Jalapa easily 10-1 on aggregate – Video Highlights
Pachuca easily advanced on aggregate 10-1 as they won 7-1 against Deportivo Jalapa on Tuesday night. Three goals from Ulises Mendivil led Pachuca as they never seemed to have any trouble against Jalapa in both matches. It could have been worse for Jalapa as Christian Gimenez missed a penalty early in the second half. After taking a lead there was little doubt Pachuca would move coming into the match with a 3 goal lead. The Mexican side will join the group stage with the Houston Dynamo, AD Isidro Metapan, and the winner of the Olimpia/Arabe Unido tie.
